Fantastic St Ives Bank Holiday Market, chandlery purchases and cruise to The Twenty Pence Inn

The wind had calmed down by this morning. The overnight temperature low of 56degF rose to a maximum of over 70degF today. The barometer down to 1026 tonight. A breakfast of water melon and marmalade on toast before a walk together to St Ives and the Monday Bank Holiday market. A most exceptional market with not only Market Hill but Cromwell Walk and other streets full with all manner of stalls and the whole thronged with many shoppers.

On the Waits Quay, the Chapel had live organ music outside on the path with collections for the Mental Handicap Charity, which made me feel happy that simple people care but sad at the music of a bygone age. Lunch of the takeaway on the Waits Green and back to The Lady. We set off and stop at L H Jones for water. I buy a new Ships Wheel for £67 which is very smart and also efficient. Through St Ives lock, past Holywell, The Pike and Eel, Brownshill Staunch and Hermitage Lock. The chandlery at Hermitage Boatyard is very sparse and so, after a cursory look we wend our way along the Old West River, making Twenty Pence Bridge before dusk.

After watching a film about a family settling in the wilderness on TV we have a drink at the Inn and then to bed.

News today of the retirement of Menachen Begin, the Israeli Prime Minister of which I am glad. His Middle Eastern adventures in Lebanon and annexing of conquered territory have been disturbing.